Two Consecutively Numbered Cone Hammers

[alvin]

Here are Cone Hammer #973 and #974, made in 1897. Like twin brothers, they finished their serviceable life in different paths and reunited yesterday, after 116 years.

Everything looks good on #973, except it's follower spring was a replacement. Given the overall condition, that's not surprising. Someone put a "four-fold" later style zig-zag spring in it. If you have an original early style "three-fold" spring for sale, or you know where I can find it, please let me know. Thanks.

[cdmech]

Very nice! What's the story?
Marc

[alvin]

Originally Posted by cdmech

What's the story?

Heard a collector Ralph Merrill? #973 came from his collection. I guessed that he has been in this field for long time, otherwise, it's impossible to have so many rare broomhandles in the collection. As we've noticed, some variations are hard to come in any condition, and he got almost all of them -- there were two SYSTEM MAUSERs, five 20-shots, three carbines, and "countless" number of 6-shots (I did not count).

Probably he knows where his guns came from... this one was not an English Conehammer because it's too early and because of its condition. It's probably not a Russian broomhandle either, I assumed Russian CH seldom flowing into the U.S. The history of this piece is lost.

[alvin]

Finally, got time to clean up #973. When I received it last week, the barrel was like welded on the frame, not movable. Holding the grip punching the muzzle again a soft pine board a few times, finally I could draw the bolt open. After field stripping and applying a little gun oil, the bolt could be opened with considerable force, not smoothly though.

This morning, after detail stripping, I did not see any rust inside. What's blocking the action movement? The exterior of the gun does not have 3% blue left, but interior blue is still very good. Old grease formed a layer of solid crust on many small parts, which not only does not help motion, but also block the movement. After soaking the parts into "Break Free" for hours, and cleaning the surface with a old toothbrush, at least, the pistol came back into life again. Now, pushing the barrel backwards and releasing it, "ga ba", the barrel returns to the battery, and the bolt can move smoothly. that's what I expected. Feel better now.

[Douglas Jr.]

Outstanding find. Incredible that both had survived for more than a century to be reunited again.
It's magic, Alvin.

[alvin]

Thanks for the comments. I went to auctioneer's preview session, and saw two dozens of cone hammers for sale. The auction house locked #259 SYSTEM MAUSER and a few 20-shot C96s in a glass cabinet, but majority of them were simply put on a few open tables so it's easy to evaluate them. It's uncommon to see so many cone hammers for sale in one session. The seller had a few really nice cone hammers. #973 was his poorest one in shape, but it attracted me.

It's interesting to notice #973, #974 having unmarked hammers. No s/n on hammer, not even "m" inspection stamp. The rocker coupling is numbered though. That's reverse of later cone hammers. Also, they had bolt stop numbered, but not on its top side. The s/n is hiding in the slot on the bottom side. It's invisible until the bolt stop is taken out. Most weird, the grip screw is numbered. It's hard to guess what's in manufacturer's mind.

Finally, the firing pin is special. There is no screw-like structure at its head. The return spring is simply put in the front, not screwed on.

[JTD]

outstanding pair, a collectors prize for sure, congrats. John

[mauro]

Definitely a great find!!

[alvin]

Finally, a few more pictures. Fall into love with these two